Fan help with Define R4?

[Jinxyface]

Just a quick question, I'm getting some new fans to get some better airflow in my case. I use the Z77M, which has three 3-pin PWM connectors, and two 2-pin connectors.

 

I read somewhere that you can connect 3-pin PWM fans to 4-pin connectors, is that true? Something about enabling/disabling some "smartfan" option in my BIOS for voltage control.

 

 What about the opposite? The issue is that I want to get some Noctua NF-F12s and S12As, both of these models use 4-pin PWM connectors. That means 2 Noctua fans will connect natively, but the other 3 will have to connect to a 3-pin connector, even though they're 4-pin fans. Is that okay? Or should I get some adapters?

[Rorgash]

its fine, you just lose some fan control options

[Jinxyface]

its fine, you just lose some fan control options

Like what? The only thing this case provides is a 5/7/12V controller on the front. So would the fans just run at max speed?

[Rorgash]

the front controller does voltage control, and that will work on 3 pin, but 4 pin on the mobo can control it auto and at any level, not static voltage.

[Jinxyface]

the front controller does voltage control, and that will work on 3 pin, but 4 pin on the mobo can control it auto and at any level, not static voltage.

 

So that means connecting a 4-pin PWM to a 3-pin will just run it at a static voltage instead of dynamic?

[Rorgash]

yes

[Jinxyface]

yes

Oh, well that's not so bad then Thanks for clarifying. I'll just make sure my next mobo has at leat five 4-pin PWMs then. Thanks!

[Rorgash]

the old brown and tan noctua fans comes with splitters that will allow you to put 2 4 pin fans into a single fan header, so you should be fine

[Jinxyface]

the old brown and tan noctua fans comes with splitters that will allow you to put 2 4 pin fans into a single fan header, so you should be fine

Two 4-pins onto a 3-pin connector with a splitter? 

[Rorgash]

Two 4-pins onto a 3-pin connector with a splitter? 

 two 4pins into a splitter into a single mobo 4pin fan header on your mobo meaning you only need half the amount of  headers for auto control of all your fans